Legendary
by Joey Bada$$ (featuring J. Cole)

Album: All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Joey Bada$$ and J. Cole spit rhymes during this song about civil rights and the disenfranchising of black people. It is the first collaboration between the pair.
  • Back in the summer of 2016, Cole visited Bada$$ and played him a demo of his song "False Prophets (Be Like This),"which sampled the Brooklyn rapper's 2012 tune "Waves." He then asked Joey for his blessing before releasing "False Prophets." In an interview with LA Leakers, Bada$$ explained he knew Cole would supply some rhymes for the song, despite him being tied up with the release of his 4 Your Eyez Only album:

    "I already knew off of the strength of that, he was going to come through with the verse," he said. "He was telling me for a minute like, 'Yo, you're the only person I got on my feature list. I got you, I'm gonna make it happen, just wait. I gotta finish my album and s--t.' He literally sent the s--t the day before his album came out."
  • During the hook Bada$$ speaks about the idea that those African Americans who deserve respect will always be respected, and more greats will follow in their paths.

    Legends, they never die
    The niggas only multiply


    The lyric is a reference to MC Ren's verse on N.W.A.'s 1991 song "Real Niggaz Don't Die," where he rapped:
    "Real niggaz don't die 'cause they eventually multiply."

    The line has been interpolated or referenced on many occasions by rappers such as 2Pac ("Biggie/Tupac Live Freestyle"), Schoolboy Q ("Gangsta"), A$AP Rocky ("Multiply") and even J. Cole himself ("Immortal").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.